USA - EAW has announced additions to the MicroWedge series of stage monitors. The MicroWedge8 (MW8) and MicroWedge10 (MW10) are a small-format continuation of the MW line from EAW. Although even smaller than the already compact MW12 and MW15, the MW8 and MW10 offer volume levels and voicing that rival full-size industry-standard 12-inch and 15-inch monitors, saysthe company.

The MW8 and MW10 are suitable for mid-to-high-volume rock/alternative performers, houses of worship, theatres, edge of stage-fills, corporate shows/events and presenters. They are also a designed for front-of-house or monitor engineers looking for a live monitoring option on the console meter bridge.

The MW8 is the smallest in the MW line of products, featuring an 8-inch woofer, and the MW10 features a 10-inch woofer. Both units' coaxial designs pair the respective woofers with a 3-in (diaphragm) coaxially

Hungary - Allen & Heath's iLive digital mixing system managed the audio broadcast feed for RTL Klub TV channel's Való Világ (Real World) reality show in Hungary, running non-stop for a total of 164 days.

The producers wanted two separate systems running 24 hours a day, picking up different material which could be selected for the final daily edit. Installed by A&H's national distributor, Audmax, in collaboration with system integrator, Rexfilm, an iDR10 modular MixRack was installed in a studio room managing 32 inputs, and a second iDR10 in the CAR-room managing 24 inputs and 48 outputs. Both MixRacks were connected via ACE to iLive-144 control surfaces located in the sound control room, and fitted with Ethersound to network them together for input sharing. The programme's sound engineers then used iLive Editor to manage both systems.

"iLive was selected for its respons

Europe - Take That's record breaking Progress Live stadium tour is being witnessed by over two million fervent fans across Europe, who are enjoying music from right across the band's career, as well as some of Robbie Williams solo hits. Sennheiser microphones, in-ears and radio systems are a key part of the production, ensuring that the boys hit the right note.

All five members of Take That are using Sennheiser SKM5200 handheld wireless microphones with dynamic MD5235 heads and EM3732 MkII dual receivers, as well as 2000 series in-ear monitors (IEMs). Further sets of the IEMs are used by the backing band, dancers and technical crew, while wired backing vocal mics are e 935s.

One of the biggest challenges of the show is its sheer size, with a B stage projecting well into each stadium. This has meant the addition of Sennheiser's A5000-CP circular polarized antennas alongs

USA - Waves Audio has announced that noted Front-of-House (FOH) engineer Greg Price has joined the Waves Live Division as a product specialist. Since getting his start at California's The Record Plant almost four decades ago, Price has forged a career as a first-call live sound engineer. His live resume includes such acts as Weezer, Foo Fighters, Van Halen, the Cheetah Girls/Hannah Montana, Audioslave, Black Sabbath and ZZ Top.

As part of his role as a Waves product specialist, Price will be called upon to share his vast knowledge with the Waves customer base, as well as shed light upon the digital revolution now taking place in the live sound arena.

Price stated, "I am very honoured and excited to join the Waves Live team. Waves plugins bring my vision of sound to life. If you can dream of the sound, Waves plugins can make it come alive. The best investment you can make

Poland - Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2011, the Heineken Open'er Festival in Poland played host to some of the biggest acts on the planet recently, with the likes of Prince, Coldplay, Pulp and The Strokes gracing the stage over the course of the four day event.

With crowds of between 60,000 and 86,000 every day, the demands on a sound system for an event of this size are high. GMB Pro Sound, the company behind the sound system for the main stages, decided to power everything with Lab.gruppen's flagship PLM 20000Q.

Remigiusz Kasztelnik, director at GMB Pro Sound, said, "My colleague, the highly experienced sound engineer Janusz Klimowicz, was instrumental in our purchase of our new inventory of Lab.gruppen's PLM 20000Q. We had used fP and FP+ Series products before, but none of us had experience working with PLM Series.

"Initially, we considered three differe

UK - PLASA Events has announced the first details of the PLASA 2011 Education and Learning Programme, which runs on all four days of PLASA 2011, at Earls Court in London from 11-14 September 2011.

Headlining the programme is the 2011 Gottelier Masterclass presented by last year's winner of the Gottelier Award and one of the best known designers in the industry, Fred Foster. The theme of his talk will be a huge draw since his title is A Call To Arms - We Must Protect the Quality of Light.

Says Foster, "Faced with the headlong rush towards 'energy efficient' lighting, we as an industry must join together to defend the quality of light. While we have a duty to make and use more efficient sources of light, we must also work to ensure that these sources provide the beautiful full spectrum of light." The Gottelier Masterclass will be presented on Monday 12 September

Australia - For the first time in Australia, at Entech 2011 in Sydney, Meyer Sound will present its real-time demonstrations of the Constellation acoustic system. With a live saxophonist providing musical source, Constellation will transform the Meyer Sound stand by creating a palette of natural acoustical environments, ranging from an intimate recital chamber to a cavernous cathedral, says the company.

"Constellation is a technology that cannot be adequately explained in a brochure or on a website," states Steve Devine of Meyer Sound Australia. "Until you are immersed in it, you won't fully understand what Constellation is about."

At the core of Constellation is the new D-Mitri digital audio platform, a flexible suite of hardware and software components adaptable for the most demanding mixing, matrixing, DSP and show control applications. D-Mitri serves as

USA - First Lady Michelle Obama recently delivered the keynote graduation address to the 2011 class of Spelman College. The graduation event took place at the Georgia International Convention Centre in Atlanta, Georgia. The centre's hall is massive - approximately 200ft wide by 420ft deep and able to hold in excess of 10,000 people.

The PA system, provided by Atlanta-based AEE Productions, utilised 16 EAW KF740 three-way full range line array Loudspeakers flown in two line arrays on either side of the 60ft wide stage. Another 16 EAW SB1000z large format subwoofers were set up and stacked on the stage itself. In addition, a pair of the new EAW KF394 line array modules was used as an out-fill on the wings of the main line array, positioned three feet behind and two feet to the side of the line array hangs, and eight EAW KF730s were used as delay speakers. The system was processed

Switzerland - Waves Audio, and DiGiCo have teamed up to "bring studio-quality sound to the world of live sound". Currently, Waves processing is being employed in DiGiCo consoles at the 45th Edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival, currently taking place in the Swiss resort.

Since Waves and DiGiCo entered into a strategic alliance in 2010, Waves reverbs, equalizers, compressors, limiters, delays and more run directly from DiGiCo's SD series consoles. Waves plugins that are noted for their use in leading recording studios, mixing rooms and mastering houses the world over are now being use in live sound reinforcement as well.

Suitable for front-of-house, monitor, broadcast and theatre applications alike, Waves live sound applications for DiGiCo consoles provide instant access to the industry's leading audio processors. Powered by Waves SoundGrid technology, Waves integrat

Australia - The Adelaide Convention Centre (ACC) is one of the busiest in Australia with a wide range of events from trade shows to corporate dinners to product launches. The ACC recently added to its audio inventory with the addition of 18 Turbosound Flex Array TFA-600HDP self-powered cabinets.

The system is rigged as two hangs of nine elements for large events but can be easily split into smaller systems as required. Each Flex Array element consists of dual horn-loaded 10" drivers, a 6.5" Polyhorn loaded mid-range driver, a Dendritic loaded 1" and dual 800w power amplifiers with DSP.

Eight Turbosound NuQ-8DP (8"/1") self powered cabinets were also purchased as front-fill and general purpose speakers. Both the Flex Array and NuQ self-powered speakers include network functionality allowing the team full laptop control (gain, delay, EQ and monitoring) o

Poland - The first weekend of July was a historic moment for Poland, as the country assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time. To celebrate, a huge concert was staged in Warsaw, where nine Yamaha digital mixing consoles and a large Nexo PA helped to entertain a huge crowd.

The show took place in the city's Plac Defilad (Parade Square) and featured three stages. Televised nationally, a range of international artists joined Polishacts in playing one of their own songs and a popular Polish song, before handing over to the next act.

Such a rapid series of changeovers made the three stages necessary, so Warsaw-based production company GMB Pro Sound supplied a Yamaha PM5D-RH as the main front of house console for each stage. Two DSP5Ds and a DME64 digital mixing engine were also used for delays and speaker management of the large Nexo PA - compri

Germany - Nexo's 45ºN-12 stage monitors have made their festival debut in Germany on the centre stage of one of the country's largest events - the new 'line monitors' were used by drummers on the main stage of Rock im Park, courtesy of rental company satis&fy AG Werne.

Together with its sister event, Rock am Ring (Rock at the Ring), Rock im Park (Rock in the Park) is one of the biggest music festivals in Germany. It takes place around Nuremberg in the south of Germany; headliners this year included Disturbed, System of a Down, Coldplay, Alter Bridge and Kings of Leon.

Rental company satis&fy AG Werne, specialists in live entertainment and tour support, worked extensively with Reinhard Steger, rental sales engineer from Nexo's German distributor audiovation, to test the new N-12 line monitors before offering them to the festival stage.

For a stereo drum-fill set, satis&fy us

UK - After several years of successfully deploying its inventory of Yamaha M7CL and LS9digital mixing consoles on a wide variety of events, production company Subfrantic has recently made a major further investment in two PM5D-RHs and aDSP5D. Hardly were the new mixers out of their packaging than they were heading for a festival field.

Held in late June at Kings Hill, Kent - a mixed residential and business development ton what was formerly the RAF West Malling aerodrome - Music On The Hill was a family-friendly three-day festival, all proceeds of which went to two Kent-based children's charities, the Demelza Hospice Care for Children and The Children's Development Trust.

The live music was divided into a distinct theme on each day - classical/opera on the first, pop on the second and tribute/'heritage' acts on the third - which made it an ideal test for Subfrantic's la

UK - Rental company, APR Audio, provided PA and control systems for the West Holts and John Peel stages at Glastonbury 2011, selecting Allen & Heath iLive digital mixing systems to manage FOH and monitor mixing duties, which were also networked for audio and control sharing.

On the John Peel stage, APR chose an iDR-64 MixRack connected to the largest control surface in the range, the iLive-176, for monitors. Twelve onstage mixes were provided, plus LR side-fills and up to eight stereo IEM feeds. Engineer, Fabrizio Piazzini, additionally used the iLive MixPad app to make final tweaks. For FOH, an iLive-144 Control Surface was chosen, connected via Cat 5 ACE to a modular iDR10 MixRack installed onstage.

The systems were networked to provide input sharing and remote control via the iLive Editor PC software.

"One of iLive's great assets is that it is a networkable system, t

USA - Located in Mt. Crawford in west central Virginia, Southard Audio is a regional sound company that, during its 30-plus years in business, has made the move from local events to large arena-sized shows. Two major initiatives have powered this expansion: a long-term cooperative partnership with Richmond-based Soundworks, and a mutual reliance on Turbosound Flex Array loudspeakers.

"Our relationship with Turbosound goes back more than 20 years," notes founder and president Mike Southard. "When it was time to expand into a line array system, it was easy to see the benefits of the Flex Array. It's a great-sounding PA, very loud for its footprint, with easy and straightforward rigging - a perfect complement to our existing inventory."

That system was put to the test at a recent 11,000 seat show featuring Snoop Dogg at the Coliseum of West Virginia University

UK - After many challenges and years of experience in the design of sound systems, LD Systems has introduced a multi-purpose all-in-one portable public address system, the RoadMan 102 Series.

The RoadMan 102 is a compact and mobile PA solution with an integrated battery, which is suited for solo entertainers, churches, schools, business conferences and presentations where versatility is required. The Roadman comes with a CD/MP3/USB/SD Player as well as a wireless microphone unit with handheld mic. A tape-deck with recorder function and a second wireless microphone unit are also available.

Andrew Richardson, managing director of Adam Hall UK comments, "The Roadman 102 Series is an extremely versatile performer, it is truly portable with an array of features and easy set up and operation. With the optional audio link, a network of Roadman units can broadcast to a much wider

USA - Founded by a group of jazz legends-including Mahalia Jackson and Duke Ellington -in 1970, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has grown and evolved over the years to become a tribute to different musical genres, with a special emphasis on jazz. The varied musical and cultural showcase is held over two consecutive weekends on 12 different stages set up at the New Orleans racetrack grounds.

Widely known as simply the 'Jazz Fest', the festival embodies the culmination of years of effort on the part of local leaders, whose aim was to create an event that would properly highlight the heritage of New Orleans as the birthplace of jazz. This year's line-up, a perfect reflection of the event's cultural significance and popular appeal, included world renowned artists like Tom Jones, Bon Jovi, John Legend, Maceo Parker, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny G. and Alejandro Sanz, among many oth

UK - Studiomaster has published details of its new Class AD Polyphase proprietary amplifier development, in a technical reference document on the company's website.

First announced at this year's prolight+sound exhibition in Frankfurt, the technology provides for major improvements in sound quality, efficiency and power density over current Class D designs, says the company. The new topology combines a number of design innovations with a Studiomaster patented 'polyphase' output stage. The effect is to provide the equivalent sonic performance of a pure analogue design and greater efficiency than a Class D amplifier - "enabling better sounding, more compact devices and power circuit integration".

Commenting on the significance of the Class AD Polyphase development, head of R&D Paul Belcher stated, "Innovation has always been at the heart of Studiomaster's R&D, fro

UK - A mainstay of Croydon's High Street, the Black Sheep Bar is a respected and all-encompassing nightspot, with genres from Rock, Indie, Metal, Drum 'n' Bass and more entertaining punters at least six days a week.

When the popular bar recently needed to upgrade its PA system, it opted for the Tannoy VQ Live system.

Black Sheep Bar manager Paul Bossick said, "It's a superb system. We do a mixture of live music and DJing, and we're predominantly into dubstep at the moment, which is the reason we changed sound system - our old one was not really adequate. The Tannoy VQ Live systems captures all the sounds we want very nicely."

The installation was carried out by Aylesbury-based Moonlite Productions Limited. Moonlite managing director James Iyengar said, "Paul has been a customer for many years, and his venue has changed to adapt to current music styles and cust

USA - The verdict is in at the Haskell County Courthouse, where a new high-quality audio system is delivering news and entertainment to the local population.

The three-story, 100-year old building in Haskell, Texas, received a major audio upgrade via four Technomad Berlin 9040 narrow dispersion loudspeakers. Mounted high on the building's 60ft high roof, the Technomad system replaces an outdated PA system scarred by time and weather. Technomad also supplied a mixer and two wireless handheld microphones for the audio headend.

Like all Technomad loudspeakers, the Berlin 9040s are fully weatherproof, suitable for the harsh climate of north-central Texas. The loudspeakers are built to withstand the region's extreme summer heat (routinely topping 100 degrees), intense year-round UV rays, and heavy rains and lightning storms of the spring and autumn months.

The Berlin 9040 loudspe

International - There are just 10 days remaining to make your nomination for the 2011 Gottelier Award.

When the Nomination phase closes on Friday 29 July, the shortlist will be announced and voting - open to PLASA Members, as well as PLASA Show Exhibitors and Pre-Registered Visitors - will begin on Monday 1 August.

This prestigious award is presented each year during the PLASA Show to someone who has made "a significant and sustained contributions to the advancement of entertainment, presentation or installation technology - whether in audio, lighting, rigging, staging, or any other related field".

The Award was introduced in memory of Tony Gottelier, the highly respected lighting designer, product developer and industry commentator who passed away in 2006.

Previous Winners:

2007 - Tony Andrews | Funktion-One

2008 - John Stadius | DiGiCo / Soundtra

Theatres at Risk - The Theatres Trust has called on local communities to fight to save theatre buildings which are at risk. Some 58 UK buildings are on the trust's 2011 'at risk' register, with the Brighton Astoria and London's Cochrane Theatre among those facing demolition. It said it hoped legislation, including the new Localism Bill, would empower groups and individuals to "take on the guardianship of theatres at risk".

Theatres in Wallsend, Alsager, Ayr and Glasgow were all recently demolished. The at risk register also features theatres threatened by neglect, local development, funding cuts and closure. The trust said this year's register highlighted the impact of austerity measures over the past year. It praised "the tireless efforts of community and campaign groups who are the guardian angels of many UK theatres". But it said there was still "a de

USA - EAW has debuted its new SBK Series Subwoofers. The SBK subs are designed to "perfectly complement EAW's MK Series Full-Range Loudspeakers in construction, size and sound", but they can also be used as stand-alone subwoofers in a system from any other manufacturer.

The line includes three models: SBK150 (Single 15-inch), SBK180 (Single 18-inch) and SBK250 (Double 15-inch) Subwoofers. All three units operate in passive mode. Applications can include concert halls, houses of worship, arenas, large ballrooms, live theatre products, gymnasiums and much more.

Premium components and optimally tuned ports match the performance associated with EAW's SB line of direct radiating subwoofers, says the company. The SBK line includes a variety of forms of subwoofer providing a system designer with selections that can be specifically matched to their application. Multiple 3/8-

USA - Community Professional Loudspeakers is introducing two new monitors to its M-Class Series. Applications for the new MX8 and MX10 models include houses of worship, corporate presentations, musical theatre, education facilities, television, studio and live music performance.

Handling 300W and 500W programme respectively, the 8-inch MX8 and 10-inch MX10 use Community's proprietary co-axial driver units. Their co-axial design means that all of the sound emanates from the same point source and the Tru-Phase conical high frequency waveguide eliminates the transition anomalies that occur in most square and rectangular horns. This results in "exceptionally smooth phase and frequency response performance with reduced feedback, improved intelligibility and uniform coverage exactly where it's needed". The MX8 and MX10 are suitable for single performers who often move off-a

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